title: [Microscopy of the gastrointestinal tract: confocal endomicroscopy - clinical and scientific benefits].
abstract: Endomicroscopy is a novel method that allows microscopy of the gastrointestinal mucosa during ongoing endoscopy. This necessitates the application of fluorescent contrast agents. Indications for endomicroscopy include inflammatory and (pre-)neoplastic diseases that are often only incompletely assessed by random biopsies. Multiple trials have established the value of endomicroscopy of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. Follow-up studies have evaluated intravital microscopy of the biliary tract, the liver or pancreas. Endomicroscopy for the first time enables microscopic imaging of the intact tissue virtually free of artifacts. This allows an unprecedented approach to the patient in gastrointestinal science and molecular imaging. CLE therefore links clinical patient care with translational science.
authors.affiliation: I. Med. Klinik und Poliklinik, Universitätsmedizin Mainz, Deutschland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goetz
mesh_terms: D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods*; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes